I just picked up my whistle again after a few years without touching it. I can’t remember exactly why I gave up the first time, but I do feel more determined this time around.
There aren’t really any teachers around here, sadly, which means that I’m mostly stuck to written material. I wish it wasn’t so, but there’s not much to do about it.
Now. I need some of that written material. Good stuff, preferebly. Any ideas on what to invest in?
And lastly, a rather simple question, I hope. How on Earth does one play the C and high D notes on a D whistle? I can’t figure out how to hold the bedamned thing still, so my fingering ends up all over the place.
C# no fingers on the holes
Cnat OXX OOO or some variation of that (depends on the whistle)
D OXX XXX or just over blow
on that C#, if you leave a finger down on the furthest hole, it won’t significantly change the note, but it will steady the whistle
you can also put the pinkie finger down on the whistle to steady it
Try eBay for whistle tutors - my favorites are Ochs, Cotter, and McCullough
I wouldn’t recommend the Larson book to a beginner.
I just started playing too-it must be going viral - and I’ve been using the Mel Bay Clarke Tin Whistle w CD by Bill Ochs- it has been a great book for me-the early stuff is very clear, and so is the info on ornamentation. The only thing I’ve noted is that in the later tunes in the book he is playing ornamentation on the CD that is NOT in the sheet music- so if you just play it as written it will NOT sound like he is playing it but I guess he figures you will figure it out if you’ve come this far-but I tend to skip around and play the tunes I like. This is a small poin thowever and I think the book has been great- shop around for it- lots of different prices out there and be sure it has the CD. (it’s a D whistle book).
I haven’t been around all that long, but, I took a look at my hands when playing those notes and this is what I do: the mouthpiece presses lightly against my front top teeth, both thumbs press lightly on the back side of the whistle, and my pinky balances the whistle below the bottom hole.
Shelly - i would not put the whistle tip against my front teeth! If the whistle gets accidentally knocked you could loose your front teeth! I keep the whistle tip lightly between the lips, and the lips a bit tight, even sometimes drawn back so that they are between teeth and whistle, like a cushion.
To play the C# and B I balance the whistle with the right ring finger on the sixth hole, the right thumb underneath the whistle, and the mouth. The left thumb is not involved in holding it. Often I have the right ring finger on the sixth hole when playing A as well, to get quicker transitions.
Oooh yes, I didn’t spot that. G’wan - name that whistle for me.
Maybe Generation got the Jesuit contract. Y’know, like how the wine and wafers are only meant to come from an approved supplier. Try as I might, I just can’t see Ratzinger with a whistle though.
You can buy books if you want to - I certainly did, but now all I use is internet sources 95% of the time. ITM is more about learning tunes by ear and playing w/others IMO than reading tunes. Mostly you need to listen to tunes until you know them - makes it easier to learn to play them.
www.whistlethis.com is good for beginners - there’s many others to. Google search for beginner whistle & you’ll find them. Tradschool.com comes to mind and anything by Michael Eskin is good. Oh yeah - Google Bowling Green Session for some great, slow, medium & fast session tunes for beginners.
Also, I’d go attend the session (s) in your area - even if all you do is sit there with your whistle in your lap. Listen to the players, Get a cheap recorder & record the tunes. Listen to them until you “know” them & know the changes. Note that session etiquette varies from session to session & some are more advanced, but most appreciate beginners & will be a good resource to you if you open up to them. I spend most of my energy learning tunes that are played at my session. Then I find a youtube version of the tune, to play with. If possible rip the video out of youtube (there is software that will do this) and find an application that will let you slow it down so you can learn it - I use Quicktime (Mac) Then learn the A, B, parts slow and after the hundredth repetition you’ll have it! Or use ABC tunes or midi to slow them down. Hang in there - It’s worth the effort.
- and I’ve been using the Mel Bay Clarke Tin Whistle w CD by Bill Ochs- it has been a great book for me-the early stuff is very clear, and so is the info on ornamentation. The only thing I’ve noted is that in the later tunes in the book he is playing ornamentation on the CD that is NOT in the sheet music- so if you just play it as written it will NOT sound like he is playing it but I guess he figures you will figure it out if you’ve come this far-but I tend to skip around and play the tunes I like. This is a small poin thowever and I think the book has been great- shop around for it- lots of different prices out there and be sure it has the CD. (it’s a D whistle book).